establishment of libraries of proper practical books would be much for the benefit of these young men, as well as of great service to the department. The excellent appearance and deportment of the firemen, and the good condition of their apparatus, was made evident to the public on the occasion of the parade which took place in September last, under the auspices of the city authorities.

In general the houses of the department are well adapted to their requirements. There are, however, a few exceptions to this; and your attention is particularly called to the inadequate and uncomfortable arrangements which exist in the houses of engine company number four, near Scollay's Building, and of engine company number fourteen, at the Highlands. Justice and the best interest of the city demand that speedy relief be given the officers and men that occupy these houses, as the companies are among the best in the city.

FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.

This department is in good condition. During the past year, by order of the city council, all of the old signal boxes have been removed, and their

places supplied by others containing the latest improvements; and changes have also been made in the alarm apparatus in the bell towers and engine houses, rendering the telegraph more efficient and reliable than ever before. Telegraphic communication will be required to be made between the present the present telegraph and Dorchester; otherwise, without it, the Boston Fire Department will be of very little use to the sixteenth ward in case of fire. This should receive the immediate attention of the city council.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

An uncommon degree of activity has been shown in this department during the past year. An unusual number of important buildings have been completed, and many new ones have been commenced. The city, in all its provisions, must keep up with its growth and prosperity; and as its population increases, and numerous dwellinghouses and stores are erected, so proportionately must school-houses, engine-houses and other buildings be provided. The buildings for two grammar schools have been completed and dedicated the Rice school-house on Dartmouth street and the Shurtleff school-house on Dorchester,

street in South Boston; as has been also a house for the Drake Primary School on C street. A suitable station-house for the accommodation of the tenth police district has been finished and furnished at the corner of Washington and Pynchon streets in ward fifteen. For the fire department, buildings have been completed for the Hose Company stationed in North Grove street, for the Hook and Ladder Company on Fourth street, and for the Hose Company on Church street, and the same are now occupied. During the year several buildings have been remodelled, namely: the Comins Grammar school-house, Hook and Ladder House No. 1, Engine-House No. 9, and the old Roxbury Alms-House at the Highlands. This last-mentioned building has been specially fitted for the accommodation of the inmates of the Discharged Soldiers' Home, the building on Springfield street, formerly occupied by them, having been conveyed to the trustees of the Old Mens' Home, in accordance with an agreement made several years ago, and which has been happily consummated to the satisfaction of all concerned.

A grammar school-house has been commenced in Ward One, to take place of the old Lyman

school-house, which will be appropriated to other purposes, and another in Ward Fourteen. The erection of three primary school-houses has also been begun, one in Berlin street, one in Appleton street, and the third in Fayette street. This last is to be built of the material taken from the May primary school-house, which formerly stood on Fort Hill, and which was taken down to give opportunity for carrying forward the Fort Hill improvement. A spacious building for the Girl's High and Normal school is in a state of forwardness, and together with the above mentioned, will undoubtedly be ready for occupancy during the present year. Besides these there have also been commenced an engine and hose-house on East street, a boiler-house and coal shed for the Central Charity Bureau, and land has been purchased and appropriations made for building a primary school-house on Yeoman street, Boston Highlands, and for purchasing land for another in South Boston.

So great has been the increase of business in the Registry of Deeds and Probate office, and so much crowded have become the rooms in the building devoted to the preservation of the valuable papers and and records appertaining to these

departments, that something must be done very soon for furnishing for them additional accommodations, suitable and commodious enough for their requirements. Demands have already been made for these, and it falls to you to consider and determine in what manner you can give the required relief.

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.

During the past year the public institutions of the city have been managed with the same excellence that has distinguished them in former years. The worthy poor, and those who have transgressed the laws, have been equally well cared for. In this respect our city stands in a high position, and its institutions for charitable and reformatory purposes are unsurpassed by those of any other large city in the country.

At Deer Island the several institutions, the Almshouse, the Houses of Industry and Reformation, one for boys and one for girls, — have been conducted in a very satisfactory manner, as far as the present buildings would permit. A new school-house for pauper girls is nearly completed, and it is confidently expected that it will be ready for occupancy early in the ensuing